12 days
₽435,000per person
2 places leftAlmost fully booked
Mount Kailash. The Guides' Path
A deeper immersion and work alongside the guides
Route at a glance
Duration
12 days
Distance
52 km of kora, 1900 km across Tibet
Maximum altitude
5630 m, the Drolma La pass
Difficulty
High: three days above 4900 m
Accommodation
3* hotels in the cities, guesthouses on the kora
Meals
Breakfasts and lunches on the way, dinners at your discretion
Best season
May to October
About the route
An expedition for those who go to Mount Kailash for something other than photographs. The classic itinerary is extended with the practical module of the Guides' School, work with your state at altitude and evening reviews of the day — everything a tourist programme usually leaves out.
The group is small, up to ten people: on the kora that matters. The pace is set by the slowest participant, and that is not a concession but a safety rule. An extra acclimatisation day is built in before the Drolma La pass.
You are under no obligation to lead a group afterwards. But if one day you want to, you will have experience that no classroom can give.
Route highlights
Lhasa
Samye
Lake Manasarovar
Mount Kailash
Day by day
- Day 11
Lhasa. Arrival and the first evening
Meeting at Gonggar airport and transfer to Lhasa. No sightseeing: the first day at 3650 m is given over to acclimatisation alone. In the evening the group gets to know each other and talks about why each person has come.
Altitude: 3650 mTrek: —
- Day 22
Lhasa. The Potala and the Jokhang
The Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple, a walk around the Barkhor together with pilgrims. The first practical block: attention to breathing and pace at altitude.
Altitude: 3650 mTrek: — - Day 33
Samye Monastery
A trip to the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. A long drive that doubles as a step in acclimatisation.
Altitude: 3600 mTrek: 170 km - Day 44
Lhasa — Shigatse
The road over the Kamba La pass and past Lake Yamdrok. Tashilhunpo Monastery and the first night higher than Lhasa.
Altitude: 3850 mTrek: 350 km - Day 55
Shigatse — Saga
Driving west across the Tibetan plateau. The second practical block: working with the group on the road, distributing attention and strength.
Altitude: 4600 mTrek: 450 km - Day 66
Saga — Lake Manasarovar
Reaching the sacred lake. In the evening, the first view of Mount Kailash from the south and a conversation about intention before the kora.
Altitude: 4590 mTrek: 500 km
- Day 77
Darchen. Acclimatisation day
A whole day without driving before the kora: a short walk uphill, a gear check, sorting personal belongings and the shared load.
Altitude: 4600 mTrek: —
- Day 88
Darchen — Dirapuk. The first day of the kora
The Lha Chu valley, with the west face of Mount Kailash overhead for most of the day. Night at Dirapuk Monastery, facing the north face.
Altitude: 5050 mTrek: 20 km
- Day 99
The Drolma La pass — Zutulpuk
The main day: the climb to 5630 m, the descent to Lake Gauri Kund and a long walk to Zutulpuk. Setting out before dawn, at a slow and steady pace.
Altitude: 5630 m / overnight at 4790 mTrek: 22 km
- Day 1010
Zutulpuk — Darchen. Completing the kora
A gentle walk out along the Zhong Chu valley; the circle closes in Darchen. In the evening, a review of the route and integration of the experience.
Altitude: 4600 mTrek: 10 km
- Day 1111
Darchen — Shigatse
The road back east. A long drive during which the altitude gradually lets go.
Altitude: 3850 mTrek: 950 km - Day 1212
Shigatse — Lhasa. Departure
Back to Lhasa and the flight home. The final block of the School: what to do with the experience after you return.
Altitude: 3650 mTrek: 280 km
Route photos
What is included
- Accommodation as per the programme (3* hotels, guesthouses on the kora)
- Breakfasts and packed lunches on the route
- Transport within Tibet and transfers
- A Russian-speaking group leader for the whole route
- A local Tibetan guide and driver
- Permits for the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Mount Kailash area
- Entrance tickets to the monasteries in the programme
- Oxygen cylinders and the group first-aid kit
- The practical module of the Guides' School on the route
- Evening reviews of the day with the group
What is not included
- International flights to Kathmandu or Lhasa and back
- The Chinese visa and the group visa for Tibet
- Insurance covering altitudes up to 6000 m
- Dinners and drinks
- A porter or a horse on the kora
- Personal expenses, souvenirs and tips
Mount Kailash is not just a place on the map. It is a path to yourself that stays with you for good.— Alexey, expedition participant
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